Human stem cells become more active in space — and that's not a good thing

A photograph of astronaut Rick Mastracchio on an EVA as part of Space Shuttle Endeavour's mission to the International Space Station in 2007.

Human stem cells get worn out and age much faster in space, a new study has found, which is a problem for anyone hoping to take a long trip through our solar system.

Scientists used artificial intelligence (AI) to track changes to stem cells delivered by SpaceX resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Up in space, the stem cells lost some of their ability to generate new cells, became more susceptible to DNA damage and aged faster, according to a statement released by the researchers.